Sarasota County libraries popular program "One Book, One Community" features former Sarasota attorney Claire Hamner Matturro’s novel "Sweetheart Deal," a legal mystery with a sense of humor.

The novel follows Sarasota attorney Lilly Belle Cleary back to her backwater hometown of Bugfest, Georgia to solve a murder and save her mother’s life. The smart and sassy Cleary has been the central character in three previous Matturro mysteries, "Skinny-Dipping," "Bone Valley" and "Wildcat Wine."

"This is so great and I’m honored that the library asked me to join them for this program during National Library Week," Matturro said. "I love libraries and totally believe in them. Plus, coming to Sarasota is always fun because it’s like coming home." Matturro graduated high school in Sarasota and returned here after law school, practicing law with the firm of Dickinson and Gibbons for nine years. She is the daughter of area veteran newspaper man, John Hamner.

Matturro’s legal mystery series about a high strung Sarasota trial attorney has won national recognition and awards. "Library Journal" said, "Matturro has a fresh voice and lively style (think Janet Evanovich and John Grisham) and as a former appellate attorney and member of the writing faculty at Florida State University College of Law, she’s certainly qualified to write about the law."

The "One Book, One Community" concept began in Seattle, Washington and has been a popular event at Sarasota County libraries in recent years. According to Greg Carlson, Jacaranda Public Library Manager, "The program encourages everyone to read the same book, which invites people to come together, feel a sense of community and share their insights with each other and the author." Matturro’s visit is one event in many planned at Sarasota County libraries for the program which runs through March and April.

Additional information on Claire Hamner Matturro and all her books can be found on her Web site, http://www.clairematturro.com

For more information contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000 or visit the Sarasota County libraries Web site, www.sclibs.net.